We apologize for the downtime. During this maintenance period, the site has been upgraded to the newest versions to enhance the user experience. Please note we are still working on the site, so its appearance may change from time to time over the next few days.

Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

Hello there,

I'm looking into getting my first ever dog, I've took a small part of my time to research into the dogs. I've found that the recommended amount of exercise for a border collie can be up to roughly 2 - 4 hours a day?! I'm really interested in getting one however, if I'm not keeping it happy I don't want it to be upset if one hour walks a day isn't enough! This is were a yellow lab comes in, I've found along with the Golden Retrievers these are brilliant house dogs with much less needed exercise (1 hour a day). Am I not suitable to care for a Border Collie if I'm limited to walking it 1 hour a day with home attention, and is the Yellow lab more for me?

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

I would say no to the border collie. They need a LOT compared to most dogs. With border collies you're not just looking at a dog that will be happy at all with just walks. They need much more to do. Do they all need 2-4 hours of exercise a day? No, but they need some substantial interaction (like agility or another dog sport) and lots and lots of time. If you really do want a BC, I'd recommend a rescue that is an adult and lower key. They're out there but the breed in general is very intense.

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

Thanks for the comment.

I want one because when I was younger I always visited a local farm that cared for younger ones, ever since my memories of them was positive. Over the past dew days however I've noticed a yellow lab may be a dog which would be very happy living with my family and myself. regular exercise and love for the dog would make him or her a very happy dog, right?

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

Originally Posted by DanAxez

Thanks for the comment.

I want one because when I was younger I always visited a local farm that cared for younger ones, ever since my memories of them was positive. Over the past dew days however I've noticed a yellow lab may be a dog which would be very happy living with my family and myself. regular exercise and love for the dog would make him or her a very happy dog, right?

On a farm, Border Collies have a lot of work to do to keep them happy. As a housedog, not so much, and this can make them neurotic.

Labs and Goldens can be excellent family dogs, but it takes a lot of patience to get through their extremely annoying puppy stage (which usually lasts until they're 18 months-2 years old). They chew. A lot. And nip. A lot. And are crazy hyper.

What do you want in a dog? What kind of dog experience do you have? What kind of home situation do you have (fenced yard, anyone who stays at home, etc.)? Are you dedicated enough to walk the dog an hour a day NO MATTER WHAT, even when it's rainy or snowy or insanely cold?

Last edited by Willowy; 06-27-2011 at 08:43 PM.

"Compassion for animals is intimately associated with goodness of character, and it may be confidently asserted that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good man."
Arthur Schopenhauer, The Basis of Morality

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

Border Collies DO need a lot of exercise and a job to do. We have a Border Collie/Terrier mix and she's a handful! But we have a spacious fenced in backyard so she gets to go outside and run around several times a day. I do plan on walking her too, but we are still working on our leash walking so it's going to be a while before I can take her out on a regular basis. Labs are great family dogs too. I don't know about how much exercise Labs need, but I think it all depends on whether you are looking to get a puppy or an adult dog. All puppies need a lot of exercise! You could always consider a mix too. A Border Collie/Lab would be a great dog! :-)

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

Originally Posted by Willowy

On a farm, Border Collies have a lot of work to do to keep them happy. As a housedog, not so much, and this can make them neurotic.

Labs and Goldens can be excellent family dogs, but it takes a lot of patience to get through their extremely annoying puppy stage (which usually lasts until they're 18 months-2 years old). They chew. A lot. And nip. A lot. And are crazy hyper.

What do you want in a dog? What kind of dog experience do you have? What kind of home situation do you have (fended yard, anyone who stays at home, etc.)? Are you dedicated enough to walk the dog an hour a day NO MATTER WHAT, even when it's rainy or snowy or insanely cold?

Hello!

What do I want in a dog, I want interaction, love and fun with one! My partner has a dog and I love her to pieces, I seem to be the only one who she pays more interest into just from seeing her twice a week! I want to be a good parent towards a dog because I believe every dog deserves a happy life And yes, I say I will walk him or her a hour a day with confidence because I do day to day muscular and cardio fitness anyway, so going on walks would just add to my cardio sessions. My experience is limited, although as you know I have some from seeing my partners dog. I live in a regular house, 3 bedrooms etc with a clean secure garden and I am the youngest of a family of 5! Thank you for your response.

Originally Posted by Kaja

Border Collies DO need a lot of exercise and a job to do. We have a Border Collie/Terrier mix and she's a handful! But we have a spacious fenced in backyard so she gets to go outside and run around several times a day. I do plan on walking her too, but we are still working on our leash walking so it's going to be a while before I can take her out on a regular basis. Labs are great family dogs too. I don't know about how much exercise Labs need, but I think it all depends on whether you are looking to get a puppy or an adult dog. All puppies need a lot of exercise! You could always consider a mix too. A Border Collie/Lab would be a great dog! :-)

That would be great, I would have to look into mixes and their expectations. Thank you for sharing, give your border a hug for us! Cheers

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

Don't underestimate the exercise requirements of a lab. My black lab walked six miles per day or more and, when he didn't he became restless and a tad irritable. Regular off-lead runs supplemented the walks. He kept up that regimen until he was just shy of 14.

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

wen we were dog shopping we to got in this kind of situation. i need a dog because of seasonal depression problems (the joys of living in alaska *sigh*) and we live in an apartment that is quite small. i wanted a lab cuz thats what i was raised with, my husband wants a GS cuz thats what he was raised with. in the end after much research we settled on a pom because they are low key, and dont need much exercise. my mom has 2 labs, one never chewed stuff up as a puppy (sid the female) but her son buddie oh boy he is nearly 3 and still chews things up. good luck on your dog search, dogs101 really helped us decided maybe it can help you (i dont know thier website i just watch them on animal planet when i can)

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

Originally Posted by RonE

Don't underestimate the exercise requirements of a lab. My black lab walked six miles per day or more and, when he didn't he became restless and a tad irritable. Regular off-lead runs supplemented the walks. He kept up that regimen until he was just shy of 14.

Labs were bred for endurance.

Really! That's very interesting, thanks for letting me know, that has helped a lot!

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

Originally Posted by pomergranate

wen we were dog shopping we to got in this kind of situation. i need a dog because of seasonal depression problems (the joys of living in alaska *sigh*) and we live in an apartment that is quite small. i wanted a lab cuz thats what i was raised with, my husband wants a GS cuz thats what he was raised with. in the end after much research we settled on a pom because they are low key, and dont need much exercise. my mom has 2 labs, one never chewed stuff up as a puppy (sid the female) but her son buddie oh boy he is nearly 3 and still chews things up. good luck on your dog search, dogs101 really helped us decided maybe it can help you (i dont know thier website i just watch them on animal planet when i can)

Yes Dogs101 has been a great help to me, I will look into them again tomorrow. Funny stories with the labs, if I get one I sure hope mine doesn't chew the house up, although I wouldn't be too angry

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

Labs WILL chew, they were bred to be mouthy. With proper management they shouldn't wreck your house, but it's not easy! Really, any dog can be a good pet with enough time, work, and management. Many people aren't really prepared to do all that work, they just want to sit and watch TV with the dog at their feet, and that won't fly with most dogs until they're elderly. If someone is committed to working with their dog and dealing with things that come up, it'll work out. But most people overestimate their level of commitment. That's why Labs are so common in shelters. . .

"Compassion for animals is intimately associated with goodness of character, and it may be confidently asserted that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good man."
Arthur Schopenhauer, The Basis of Morality

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

Coming from the Mom of 2 Border Collies, if in doubt, do without! Border Collies are NOT for everyone, and as others have said a BC on a farm is VERY different then a BC who is suppose to be fine with a hour walk a day! My boys not only have each other(and their Puggie brother)to play with but we also have 3 daily walks of at least 45 min, and a good 2-3 hours of running in the park! (That is for my 4 year old and 4 month old, so dont doubt an adult's need for exercise!)

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

I want/ed a border collie so bad! I love everything about that breed and I love everyone I've met (I work at a doggie daycare so I meet a lot)! However, these are dogs that NEED a job. If you don't give them one (almost constantly, might I add) they will find one for themselves and chances are that you won't like that job. I would suggest staying away from a border collie.

Yes, labs will need a lot of attention too but they won't need anywhere near as much. Mixes are good too :] I think what you should do (and you may have already but I haven't read the whole thread) is figure out how much time you have to spend with your potential dog per day and then figure out if you're in a good place to get a larger, energetic dog regardless of the breed. My doberman puppy is as "chill" as can be and definitely the most laid-back of his litter. I have it lucky with him, I only have to entertain and play with him for about 5-6 hours each day whereas his littermates need more.

Edit: Another thing to consider is that it is not suggested for puppies and adolescent dogs to go through "forced" exercise. Free running is fine but being run nonstop on a leash isn't good for their growth so if you get a puppy you wouldn't be able to do hour-long runs with it for a while. There is plenty of talk on the forms about this if you want to read into it.

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

In general, I wouldn't recommend a BC for a first time dog owner, but that depends very much on the person. For people with spouses, children, full-time jobs, and very full lives, it's probably not a great choice, as a BC will become very bored. On the other hand, a very dedicated owner can successfully manage a BC, even if it's their first dog. On a case-by-case basis, I think BC's can make great dogs for some first time owners.

I'm a first-time dog owner with a BC mix. I work during the days, but my hours are pretty flexible and I can usually bring work home with me. The key is, no matter how tired I am at the end of the day, she has spent the day in a crate and needs some 1-on-1 time with me. That usually means a walk, agility class, playing frisbee or ball, practicing tricks, etc. She does not take kindly to me flopping down on the couch and ignoring her, and I don't even own a TV. She also eats meals and treats from toys, which are mentally stimulating. BC's need physical exercise, but mental exercise is just as important, if not more important. If this sounds like something you can handle and something you want to take on, then go for it.

Laurelin is right, though. The question "why do you want a BC?" is a good one. If you're looking for loyalty and companionship, any breed can provide this. If you're looking for extreme athletic ability and intelligence (in short, a challenge), then a BC might be right for you.

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

Ditto about BCs from Mutts. Individuals may vary, but the average BC is probably too much for a first time owner.

On the other hand, an adult Lab can be an excellent experience for a first time owner, because they are intelligent but tremendously forgiving of mistakes. A Lab will adapt to your life, even sleeping 18 hours a day if needed, but you do want to learn about them, and learn how to train them. A rescue organization can help you with adoption.

Experienced Lab owners joke about Lab puppies, because they nip, draw blood, chew everything, seem indestructible, but will destroy everything around them.... but they are just so cute!

I'm biased, but I believe that a trained BC is an untiring worker, but a trained Lab is an unbelievable companion.

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

I'm in the process of getting a BC, I hope to bring one home next spring if all goes to plan. I also work full time and I imagine that will be a big challenge. Already, I'm getting myself into the 'BC swing' lol. I'm planning on doing the routine for a few months before the BC gets here just as a last test for myself that I can stick to the schedule long term.

I already have one very high energy dog though so I imagine it won't be as big of a change. I'm already getting up at 5 am to get Mia her exercise before I go to work. I'm already searching for a dog walker to exercise the dogs in the middle of the day while I'm gone. and I already spend 99% of my free time with the dogs. Long day today and I had to stay overtime (which is rare) but I came home and played with Mia for 2 hours just after. I love it, but it's not always something I want to do. But I have to because my dog needs it. It's even moreso with a BC.

BCs are to me for people who are very into dogs. They're not for a casual owner who just wants a pet. They're great for people who love dog sports or love to train and just plain spend a ton of time interacting with their dog. I already do agility some (though I'm out at the moment). A BC appeals to me because they open a lot more doors as far as sports go that I can't do with the papillons- like herding and disc, etc.

I definitely recommend you meet tons of BCs if you can before settling on the breed. They're very unique dogs.

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

Originally Posted by RonE

Don't underestimate the exercise requirements of a lab.

Seriously.

Less than a work-bred BC, but probably not as much as you may think. Labs and Goldens go through a difficult phase that lasts until they are too creaky to get up and get into mischief. That's not to say they aren't great companion dogs, just that they require a great deal of input from their humans. Put the necessary time into a Lab and you will be repaid one hundredfold. Neglect one and you will be repaid one thousandfold.

If I have to give my dog treats for obeying commands, then the terrorists have won.

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

I personally wouldn't recommend either. Definitely not the border collie for reasons listed above. Labs are great but they stay puppies for a long time... you may get frustrated. They also have a ton of energy..
I grew up with boston terriers. We always had 2 at a time so they'd have a buddy. They are very in tune with emotions, and are very comforting when you're sick or have had a bad day. They can be pretty crazy, especially with licking and jumping, but they are small so this never bothered me. Because they are small, they do not require a lot of outdoor exercise (of course they should have some though!).
I also think Staffordshire Bull Terriers are great little dogs. They are small but muscular and tough.

Re: Border Collie or Yellow Lab? Advice Needed

I would advise against a border collie unless you live on a farm or can spend at least two hours at the dog park everyday. They are the definition of a working dog and will become bored very quickly without something to do. At the very least anyone considering a border collie should have a fenced in yard and another dog. They are not meant to be calm, house dogs unlike some other collie breeds which do very well indoors.